Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has stepped into the debate surrounding Antoine Semenyo’s controversial moment during Bournemouth’s chaotic 4-4 draw with Manchester United, firmly supporting the on-field decision not to show a red card.
The incident occurred after a foul involving Semenyo and United full-back Diogo Dalot. In the aftermath, the Bournemouth forward raised his hand towards Dalot, prompting loud protests from the Old Trafford crowd and immediate comparisons with past cases where similar gestures led to dismissals. Referee Craig Pawson opted for a yellow card, a call that quickly divided opinion.
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Clattenburg, however, sees little controversy in the decision. Speaking about the incident, he stressed that officials must assess not just the action itself, but the nature and severity of the contact.
“Antoine Semenyo was issued a yellow card for raising his hand to Diogo Dalot after a foul had been awarded,” Clattenburg said.
He went on to explain why the punishment stopped short of a sending-off:
“The yellow card was the correct decision as it was a brief touch and not a grasp to the throat, which could have had an element of malice.”
According to Clattenburg, the difference between a yellow and a red often hinges on intent, force and location of contact, criteria that did not, in his view, reach the threshold for violent conduct on this occasion.
“If that was the case, it could have upgraded the yellow card to a red card,” he added.
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While Semenyo’s actions were not without risk, Clattenburg’s stance mirrors that of several pundits and refereeing analysts, who argue that the moment lacked the aggression or sustained contact required to justify a dismissal. In a match already overflowing with drama and goals, the decision ensured the focus remained on the football rather than the referee’s notebook.
